Dracaena plant named ‘2004031C’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena  cultivar named ‘2004031C’ is disclosed, characterized by very small habit as well as short leaves and short internodes. The new variety is a  Dracaena , typically produced as an ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Dracaena fragrans.

Variety denomination: ‘2004031C’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of chance discovery. The new varietyoriginated as a naturally occurring single branch mutation of theunpatented Dracaena fragrans ‘Surprise’. Typically, plants of Dracaenafragrans are not branching, however, with pinching, or harvesting ofcuttings, branches are produced. The new variety was discovered as abranch mutation occurring in a block of harvested motherstock plants.

The new variety was discovered by the inventor, Ruud A. M. Scheffers, acitizen of the Netherlands, in August of 2002 in a commercial greenhousebelonging to the inventor in Honselersdijk, The Netherlands. Afteridentifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, theinventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘2004031C’,assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘2004031C’ was first performedat the commercial greenhouse of the inventor in Honselersdijk, TheNetherlands by vegetative cuttings in August of 2002. Access to allplants was restricted, as plants were kept in a locked greenhouse notopen to the public. Through subsequent propagation by vegetativecuttings, multiple generations have been reproduced, which have shownthat the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced trueto type. At the time of filing this application, no plant material ofthe new variety has been made commercially available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘2004031C’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘2004031C’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘2004031C’ as a new and distinct Dracaenacultivar:

-   -   1. Very compact plant.    -   2. Short leaves.    -   3. Short internodes.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘2004031C’ are similar to the parent,Dracaena fragrans ‘Surprise’ in most horticultural characteristics. Thenew variety, however, is two to three times smaller at maturity,compared to the parent. Additionally, ‘2004031C’ produces erect leavescompared to the more hanging nature of the parent plant's foliage, aswell as solid green leaves, compared to the multi colored foliage of theparent plant.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘2004031C’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to theunpatented variety Dracaena fragrans ‘Janet Craig Compacta’. The twovarieties differ in mature size with ‘2004031C’ reaching a mature sizetwo to three times smaller compared to ‘Janet Craig Compacta’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘2004031C’ grown in a commercial greenhouse inHonselersdijk, The Netherlands. This plant is approximately 5 monthsold, shown planted in a 15 cm. container. The photograph was taken usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible byconventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘2004031C’ plants grown in a greenhouse inHonselersdijk, The Netherlands. A steady temperature of approximately20° C. at night and 20° C. during the day was maintained. No artificiallight, photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. Measurementsand numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dracaena fragrans ‘2004031C’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate rooting: About 4 weeks at approximately 20° C. 6    weeks for full rooting.-   Root description: Moderately thick, moderately fibrous, not fleshy,    young roots Yellow-White 158D, older roots Greyed-Orange 163D.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: 5 months.-   Pot size of plant described: 15 cm. pot.-   Growth habit: Broad upright.-   Height: Approximately 17.9 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 11.6 cm.-   Growth rate: Slow, approximately 3 cm per month.-   Branching characteristics: Not free branching, growing with one main    stem from the base, will only develop lateral branches after    pinching/pruning.-   Diameter of stem: Approximately 0.8 cm. Stem not visible but fully    covered by leaves, individual stem characteristics outside of    diameter are not measurable.-   Internode length: Average 0.2 cm.-   Texture of stem: Stem not visible but fully covered by leaves.-   Color of stem: Stem not visible but fully covered by leaves.-   Stem strength: Very strong.-   Number of leaves per stem: Average 60.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate (spirally).        -   Average length.—Approximately 7.7 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 2.2 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Lorate.        -   Aspect.—Average angle at base: 40°, tips curved to near            horizontal) (90°). 0°=vertical.        -   Apex.—Narrow acuminate, not sharp, twisted.        -   Base.—Broad cuneate.        -   Attachment.—Sheathing.        -   Margin.—Entire, slightly undulate.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth, very glossy.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, moderately glossy.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green            N144A, tip darker; Green N137A. Young foliage under side:            Near RHS Green 143C, tip darker; Yellow-Green 146B. Mature            foliage upper side: Near RHS Green N137A. Mature foliage            under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146A.        -   Venation.—Type: Parallel. Color: Upperside: As leaf blade.            Underside: As leaf blade.-   Sheath:    -   -   Average length.—Approximately 0.8 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 0.3 cm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Green-White 157D, margins near 157B.        -   Texture.—Smooth, glossy.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Flower production: Not observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility    to normal diseases and pests of Dracaena has been observed.-   Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Moderately high drought    resistance, good heat resistance.-   Fruit/seed production: Not observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plantnamed ‘2004031C’ as herein illustrated and described.